The antisynthetase syndrome

Antisynthetase syndrome is an autoimmune disease affecting multiple organ systems that was first described as a triad of polymyositis, interstitial lung disease, and the presence of autoantibodies to aminoacyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetases. We describe a patient who developed respiratory symptoms following fume exposures. Following a prednisone taper for presumed hypersensitivity pneumonitis, he developed extrapulmonary symptoms suspicious for an autoimmune process discovered to be antisynthetase-associated interstitial lung disease and myositis. This case demonstrates the importance of avoiding anchoring to minimize morbidity and potentially mortality.